Terror attack: Brummies stand united with Manchester

As more of the victims of the bombing horror in Manchester on Monday evening are named, the heartache continues to grow.

Everyone at Odara sends our condolences to everyone affected by this brutal and violent atrocity.

What makes it even more heartbreaking is that so many children were injured or have lost their lives. Mothers who accompanied their daughters to a pop concert, expecting a night of fun have had their worlds torn apart.

We watched, as millions did, as Charlotte Campbell, the mother of 15-year-old Olivia, made desperate TV appeals to find her daughter who had not been heard from since the Ariana Grande concert. And we read with such sadness when she announced on Facebook that Olivia had in fact died. “Go sing with the angels and keep smiling mummy loves you so much,” she wrote.

When the news arrived of the first victim – eight-year-old Saffie Rose Roussos – our hearts broke. As Ariana Grande said in her tweet following the attack, we don’t have the words.

The hurt that so many mothers are feeling is unfathomable. Our hearts go out to them all.

But love prevails. The response by the people of Manchester has been inspiring. And we are so proud of the people of Birmingham, who have echoed the incredible human spirit of kindness shown by countless Mancunians over the past days.

On Tuesday evening, around 1,000 people attended a vigil in Victoria Square, accompanied by faith and political leaders. Brummies hosted the candlelit vigil to show we are standing shoulder to shoulder with the people of Manchester.

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: “Birmingham and Manchester – two of England’s great cities – have so much in common and we will demonstrate our unwavering support following this senseless attack.”

The message was clear: Birmingham is with you. We are united in our grief. We stand in solidarity against hate.

Students from the University of Birmingham rallied to show their support, too, holding a vigil in Mermaid Square. The Guild of Students released a statement saying: “We, too, stand together against all forms of terrorism … We offer our support and solidarity to all those affected.”

The kindness shown by so many people in our great city sends a powerful message to those who hate and are hellbent on causing terror: we will not be beaten. We will stand together with love.

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